Adjustable lamp



Sept. 2, 1958 A. E. F. JOHNSON ADJUSTABLE LAMP Filed May 5. 1954 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. flzeZfi f Jwow P 2, 1958 A. E. F. JOHNSQN2,850,622

ADJUSTABLE LAMP 2 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1954 Qmw alga; INVENTOR.

qfrzawa 1 2,850,622 ADJUSTABLE LAMP Axel E. F. Johnson, Cincinnati,Ohio, assignor to American Hospital Supply Corporation, Evanston, 111.,a corporation of Illinois Application May 5, 1954, Serial No. 427,813 11Claims. (Cl. 240-81) This invention is concerned with a lamp,particularly with an adjustable lamp designed for hospital or similarbedside use.

Several characteristics are necessary or desirable in lamps designed forbedside use, particularly for use in hospitals with adjustable hospitalbeds. A general broad level illumination on the bed is necessary forreading in bed and for general observation of a patient. However, it isdesirable that this broad level of illumination be confined more or lessto the particular hospital bed with which the lamp is associated so thatother patients in a room or ward will not be disturbed. Furthermore, arelatively small spot of light is necessary for certain diagnostic andobservational purposes. This small spot of light must be capable ofrather precise aiming. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that hospitalbeds are adjustable as to height, most particularly the upper end of thespring and mattress against which a patients head and shoulders rest areadjustable up and down to attain various positions of comfort. It willbe apparent that an ordinary reading lamp having a fixed light would notbe satisfactory with a bed that is adjustable up and down, as the lampwould be too high part of the time, or too low part of the time, andwould be of satisfactory height for only one position of adjustment ofthe bed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hospitalfloor lamp of improved adjustability.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide ahospital floor lamp having a head which is vertically adjustable formaintaining the light source at a proper height relative to anadjustable hospital bed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vertically adjustablehospital lamp wherein such vertical adjustment does not upset thebalance of the lamp.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a verticallyadjustable hospital lamp wherein the lamp can be locked in any positionof vertical adjustment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hospital floor lampwherein the head of the lamp is vertically adjustable by a swingingmovement.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hospital floor lampwherein the height of the head is adjustable by a swinging movement andwherein the direction in which the light is directed from the head isindependent of such swinging movement.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a lamp constructed in accordancewith the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the top portion of the lamp showingthe lamp in another position of adjustment;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing yet another position of adjustment;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the top portion of the lamp taken atright angles to Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the top portion of the lamp taken substantiallyalong the line 55 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the center of the topportion of the lamp; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the adjusting portions of thelamp.

Fatented Sept. 2, 1958 Referring first to Fig. 1, there will be seen alamp generally designated as numeral 10. This lamp includes a weightedbase 12 having feet 14 of rubber or the like for resting on a floor. Alamp standard 16 of substantial height upstands from the base adjacentone edge thereof so that the base and center of gravity of the lamp canbe placed beneath a bed with the standard positioned immediatelyadjacent the bed. A housing 18 is provided on the base 12 having lighttransmitting openings 20 in the sides thereof. A light bulb is placedwithin the housing 18 and is energized under the control of a switch 22on the standard 16 so that the lamp readily may be located in the dark,and yet will have no light thrown up into a patients eyes.

A lamp head generally designated by the numeral 24 is provided at thetop of the standard 16 and comprises a swivelly adjustable connection 26forming the subject matter of this invention, and shortly to be setforth in detail. The lamp head 24 also includes a shade or refiector 28which is provided with a rotatable mounting 30 as also will be set forthin detail shortly. A switch 32 is provided on the lamp standard 16immediately above the switch 22 for controlling a light bulb housed inthe shade or reflector 28. A socket or receptacle 34 is providedintermediate the switches 22 and 32 for attachment of an electricalappliance such as a radio or clock.

Turning now to Figs, 57, the swivel adjustment 26 will be seen tocomprise a substantially cylindrical base 36 mounted on top of the lampstandard 16. The substantially cylindrical base 36 is hollow, and isprovided with a pair of bores of slightly different diameters providinga shoulder 38 limiting movement of the base onto the standard 16. A setscrew 40 is threaded through an enlargement 42 on the side of the base36 and has an unthreaded tip 44 projecting into a complementary aperturein the lamp standard 16 positively to lock the base 36 on the lampstandard.

The upper portion of the base is provided with a flat face 46, and acylindrical bore 48 communicates with the interior of the base and isarranged prependicular to this face. It will be observed that the bore42% is chamfered into the face 46 as indicated at 59. The opposite sideof the base from the face 46 also is provided with a fiat face section52. The fiat face section 52 is substantially semi-circular in extent,and a projection 54 extends outwardly over this flat face. A bore 56 isprovided in the rear of the face communicating with the face 52, andforms a continuation of the bore 48. The exterior of the top portion ofthe base preferably is paraboloidal in form as indicated at 58, andfairs into the cylindrical portion of the base as at 60, thus providinga neat appearance While serving its function as is now being broughtout.

An arm 62 is swivelly carried by the base 36 and supports the head 28.The arm 62 includes an elbow 64 which is generally similar inconfiguration to the base 36, including a cylindrical portion 66receiving a tube 68. The tube seats against a shoulder 70, and is lockedin place by a set screw 72 threaded through an enlargement 74 and havinga tip 76 projecting into a complementary aperture in the tube.

The elbow, in addition to the cylindrical portion 66, includes atransversely arranged paraboloidal portion 78 having a protuberance 80at its rear end, and having a hollow stud 82 projecting from its frontend. The stud is beveled or chamfered at 84 into a flat face 86, and thestud is rotatably journaled in the bores 48 and 56. A friction washer 83is trapped between the flat face 86 of the elbow and the opposed fiatface 46 of the base.

The hollow stud 82 is provided with a transverse openla counterbore 128which receives a coil spring This spring is-compressed nected to thisbutton;

"154 abuts the beveled face V V r V face 156011 the 'fshade holderfrictionally abuts the flat ing 90 for accommodating the electric wires92 leading to the light source as hereinafter will be set forth. Asolid, threaded stud 94 is threaded into the outer end of the.stud.82and projects axially therefrom, being locked in place .bva transversepinor dowel 96. A'limiting pin 93 extends radially from .thetstud94 inonly one direction and rides 'against theflat face 52 and beneaththeprojection 54 to limit the elbow i and arm 62 to 180 rotary motion,the pin abutting the shoulders 19% tormed between the projectionfirl andthe flat face 52-. These shoulders, thus act as positive stops limitingrotary motionoi the arm, and elbow. In Fig. 7 the transverse pin.9:81has been shown inplace in the stud 94,

but'it will be appreciated that this transverse pin is not actuallyassembled with the stud until the stud hasbeen assembled with ,thehollow stud .82 and the two studs have been assembled in the'bores 48and 56.

7 IA knob 192 is threaded onto the stud 94 and abuts the end of theprojection 54. When this knob is threaded tightly onto the stud, itpulls the elbow 64 toward the base 36 to clamp the friction washer v$8between the flat faces 46 and 86, andthereby to lock the elbow 6d andarm .62 relative to the base 36 and the lamp standard 16. Reversethreading ofthe knob 102 to loosen the same on the stud 94 releases thepressure on the frictionyvasher 88 ,an'd allows the arm 62 and elbow 64to be swiveled to 180 as limited by the pin 93 and stops An .L-shapedmember 194 generally similar to the elbow 641s mounted on top of thetube 68 and comprises a cylindrical portion 106 fltting'ontop of thetube and havinga shoulder. 1G8 abutting the topedge of the tube. 'A sctscrewlltl threaded through an enlargement in on the side of thecylindrical portion has a tip .114 projecting through a complementaryhole in the side of the tube 63 positively to lock the L-shaped-memheron the tube. The 'L'-shaped member is provided 'with a paraboloidalportion .116 at right angles to the cylindrical portion and providing aprotuberance 118.

The front of the parab'oloidal portion i provided with a flat .tace-.12tl, and a hollow stud 122 projects therefrom. 7 V V Socket holder124' is held on the'end of the stud 122 by means uch'as'a set vscrew 126and is provided J .and threaded into. suitableltappedapertures in thesocket holder 12 2:LThe-socket{incorporates a screw threaded metal shell142 in accordance with conventional practice,:and:one.,of the wires -92lea'dsto this shell. A central condensates 144' is.

nlate ll lfi arranged. across-the ppen inner end of the screw threadedshell 142,.zindthepther wire-.92 is con- 7 i The sere wlbase ldd of anordinary light bulb 156 is threaded into the screw shell of [the socketas readily will be apparent;

A shadeholder 15Z'rotatablym ounts 'theshade or reflector 28 on the.L-shaped me bef 10d and' comprises a cylindrical portion154;rotatably'flttingf about the hollow stud 122; .The outer end primecylindrical .member 7 134 of the ringil32, and a flat facej120 of theL-shaped member; The spring Blip/edges the ring' 1'32 against thecylinder"154 and frictionally -forces:th faces 156and l2fl to'gether,thus-to holdthc shade holder in' frictionally adjustable position. Theshade holder further includes an integral shell 158 having internalfbosses 160receivh 1g 1screws 162 which extend through the sheetmaterial of the shade or reflector 28 to mount the shade or reflector onthe holder 152. The

shade or reflector thus is rotatable with the holder about a the hollowstud 122.

The lamp shade or reflector flflis of dished. out con-.

' by means of a'flared-over rim 170 gripping the sheet metal 23 ofthereflector. auxiliary reflectojr172 is mounted; on the insideof the shadeor reflector 28 and 7 comprises a reflecting portion 174 of cup-likeconfigure tionaligne d with the 'spot shade -168-for reflecting lightfrom the bulb 15t3directly through the opening :166. The auxiliary shadeor reflector172 further includes afsplit cylindrical section 176encircling the socket11j36" and socket holder 124. outwardlydirectededgeor flange 178 on the cylindrical sejction'is held against the inner faceof the shade or'reflectorZS by some of thernounting screws 1 62; V Y

Operation of the lamp and adjustment thereof will best be understoodfrom Figs. 1-4. As shown in Fig. l, the

' arm 62 may extend upwardly to hold the lampfhead 2.4

at a relatively high elevation, and the openside io fthe shade orreflector 28 may be directed downwardly for a broad, diflused lightsource.

and the arm' 62 is 'swivelly adjusted up. to 180 (the extreme positionbeing shown'inFig. 2) to, lower the lamp head. Theknob'102 then istightened to'loclr the head in lower position. Additionally, the lamp.sha'deM flector.

' A socket 136of:p0rcelain'or other stutable insulating.

,r'nounted. on an insulating maybe rotated about its mounting, such asfrom the position shown in Fig. 1 to theinverted position shown in Fig.3. In this position, a spot of light is projected downwardly from .thelamp head. Fig. 4 indicates this rotary adjustment of the lamp shadeabout its mounting, and it will be understood that this rotatableadjustmentrnayiextend to 360 or more. 7

From the foregoingit will be apparent that theheight of the lamp headcan be adjusted readily through a .sub-' stantial range, and thedirection in which the light isaimed likewise may be variedconsiderably.

The lamp shade-and associated parts at all times substantially overlie.the.base. 12'so that there .is. no chance of tipping. over the lamp. Thelamp base can be posi tioned beneath the edgeof the bed so that thelight from the lampiis directed directly onto the bed. The swivelingvertical adjustment of the elevation of the lampshade is readilyaccomplished, and the lamp shade andassociatedparts are locked inadjusted position against accidental movement. Adjustment of the shadeabout .its mounting for obtaining a broad diflused light, or a'spotlighteffect is easily done with little likelihood ofa'nnoiy- W ing otherpatients. In fact, thearrangement of partsof the lampis such that alladjustment is in a plane parallel to the length of the bed. Thus, nolight will be-thrown transversely of the bed to. annovan adjoiningpatient when the hospital beds are conventionally arranged side by Tside in a room or ward;

It will be understood that the specific embodiment of the inventionherein 'shown and described isby way of illustration only. Variousstructural changes willno doubt occurto'those skilled in' the art andwill be understood as.forminga part' ofthis invention insofar as theyfall within the spirit andscope of theappended claims; V

Iclaim:- V V.

V 1. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard :on s'aid ba-se, alamp head including a light source and shade, an elongated arm,meansmounting said elongated 7 arm on said upstanding standard forangular adjustment relative toqsaid standard in a'plane substantially.parallel gto Ithelongitudinal axis of said standard, and meanssupporting said lamp head from said arm fo'riangular adjust- 7 When thelamp is to be a used with a lower bed, then th'e'knob 102 is loosened,"

ment relative to said arm about an axis perpendicular to said arm, saidlamp head lying to one side of said arm in the direction of said axis,angular adjustment of said arm thereby varying the height of said lamphead.

2. A lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said base andfixed relative thereto, a lamp head including a light source and shade,an arm, means mounting said arm on said upstanding standard for angularadjustment relative thereto about an axis perpendicular to saidstandard, and means adjustably supporting said lamp head from said armto one side of said arm and including means for angularly adjusting theshade relative to said arm, angular adjustment of said arm therebyvarying the height of said lamp head.

3. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard on said base, a lamphead including a light source and shade, an arm, means mounting said armon said standard for angular adjustment about an axis forming an angleother than a straight angle with said standard, said adjustment beingthrough substantially 180 relative to said standard between up and downpositions parallel to said standard, said arm being angularly adjustableto and from the plane containing said standard and said arm in up anddown positions, and means supporting said lamp head from said arm to oneside thereof for angular adjustment relative to said arm.

4. A lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said base andfixed relative thereto, a lamp head including a light source and shade,an arm, means mounting said arm on said upstanding standard for angularadjustment about an axis substantially transverse of said standardthrough substantially 180 relative to said standard between raised andlowered positions parallel to said standard, said arm being rotatablyadjustable in and out of the plane containing said standard and said armwhen in either of said two positions, and means adjustably supportingsaid lamp head to one side of said arm from said arm for angularadjustment of said shade relative to said arm about an axissubstantially transverse of said arm.

5. A floor lamp comprising a base, a standard of substantial heightupstanding from one side of said base whereby said base can bepositioned beneath a bed with the standard extending up beyond the edgeof the bed, a

lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm,

means adjustably mounting said lamp head to one side of said arm forangular adjustment of said shade relative to said arm about an axisangularly arranged relative to said arm at an angle other than astraight angle, and means mounting said arm on said standard formovement angularly about an axis forming an angle other than a straightangle with said standard to and from a plane containing said standardand the center of said base whereby to vary the height of said lamp headwhile maintaining said lamp head over a bed at all times.

6. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard on said base, a lamphead including a light source, an arm, means including a pivot having anaxis substantially transverse of said arm for adjustably supporting saidlamp head from said arm to one side thereof, bearing means in saidstandard having an axis substantially transverse of said standard andstud means on said arm interfitting with said bearing means forpivotally supporting said arm from said stand, friction means, and meansfor clamping said friction means between said arm and said standard forlocking said arm in adjusted position.

7. A floor lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said baseadjacent one edge thereof whereby said base may be placed beneath a bedwith the standard extending upwardly beyond the edge of said bed, alamphead including a light source and shade, an arm carrying said lamphead for angular adjustment of said shade to one side of said arm aboutan axis substantially transverse of said arm, means mounting said arm onsaid upstanding standard for angular adjustment relative thereto in aplane perpendicular to the plane containing said standard and the centerof said base whereby the height of said lamp head can be adjusted formaintaining said head at all times above said bed, friction means, andmeans for utilizing said friction means to lock said arm in adjustedposition.

8. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp headincluding a light source and shade, an elongated arm, means mountingsaid lamp head adjustably from said arm to one side thereof for rotationof said shade about an axis transverse of the arm, cooperating means onsaid arm and on said standard mount ing said arm on said standard forangular adjustment relative thereto about an axis transverse of thestandard, friction means adjacent said cooperating means, opposedclamping faces on said arm and said standard on opposite sides of saidfriction means, and means for forcing said clamping faces toward oneanother to clamp against said friction means for locking said arm inadjusted position relative to said standard.

9. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp headincluding a light source and shade, an arm, means for adjustablysupporting said lamp head from said arm to one side thereof, resilientmeans holding said head in adjusted position relative to said arm,cooperating stud and bearing means on said arm and standard andperpendicular to both said arm and standard for mounting said arm onsaid standard for angular adjustment relative thereto, said arm andstandard having cooperating clamping faces adjacent said stud andbearing, friction means mounted between said clamping faces, and meansincluding a knob threaded on said stud for forcing said clamping facesrelatively toward one another to clamp said friction means between themand thereby to lock said arm in adjusted position relative to saidstandard.

10. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp headincluding a light source and shade, an arm, a stud projectingtransversely from one end of said arm, means at the other end of saidarm adjustably supporting said lamp head, a hollow housing at the end ofsaid standard opposite to said base, said hollow housing having atransverse bore therethrough and swivelly receiving said stud, aprojection on said stud extending substantially radially thereof, stopmeans on said housing engageable with said stud and limiting angularmovement of said arm relative to said standard to a predetermined angle,a friction washer surrounding said stud and positioned between saidhousing and said arm, said housing and said arm having flat facesopposing said friction washer, and a rotary member threadedly engagedwith said stud for pulling said stud into said bore to clamp saidfriction washer between said flat faces and thereby to lock said arm inadjusted position relative to said housing and said standard.

11. A lamp as set forth in claim 10 wherein the arm includes a hollowtube and a housing similar to the housing on the end of said standard,said stud projecting transversely from said housing and including ahollow portion for accommodating electric wires, said stud furtherineluding a solid portion threaded into said hollow portion and heldagainst retraction by a cross pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.97,878 Versen Dec. 17, 1935 D. 108,144 Peters Jan. 25, 1938 1,012,383Lyhne Dec. 19, 1911 1,397,453 Rekar Nov. 15, 1921 1,834,428 Seitz Dec.1, 1931 2,491,448 Hillenbrand Dec. 13, 1949 2,745,949 Borin May 15, 1956FOREIGN PATENTS 488,045 France May 24, 1918 618,163 France Dec. 10, 1926941,448 France July 19, 1948

